Dr Malik has done PFO closure for over 10 years and can sympathise with the young man in this story, who, had he had the stroke 2 years ago, would have had NHS treatment, but now cannot, as the funding has been suspended. He has a waiting list for this procedure- pending funding, as well as the other stroke reducing therapy of LAA closure. It does make you wonder when the situation will be resolved with common sense.
Bubble echocardiogram showing a PFO
See this article in the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2695696/The-NHS-dishes-boob-jobs-gastric-bands-wont-pay-life-saving-heart-op-Stroke-victim-28-raise-10-000-private-treatment.html